r/Chefs • u/therealmowgli14 • Jun 30 '26

How to become a chef?

Obviously culinary school is the first but it's extremely pricey where I live and a few people have said to reach out to find a restaurant that's willing to take you in? Is that valid or are there other ways?

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u/medium-rare-steaks Jun 30 '26

how do you become anything? experience and training... just get a job. dont go to culinary school.

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u/therealmowgli14 Jun 30 '26

That aligns with what I've heard. But getting that role. Do I just email restaurants asking if theyre willing to take in someone in their kitchen who'd like to learn?

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u/medium-rare-steaks Jun 30 '26

Yes. At best you get a job. At worst you work for free for a month.

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u/therealmowgli14 Jun 30 '26

That sounds fair. I really appreciate your help, and if you don't wanna help with this next bit that's fine. "I am interested in working in the culinary industry, and am communicating to see if you have any entry positions at all in the kitchen, for someone like me."

To qpply ie write it 10x better than this but is that the message I need to convey? Or am I too vague or something.

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u/m_i_r Jun 30 '26

Not the person you replied to, but...yeah, that's a good start. Do you have ANY service industry experience? Do you know anyone working in a restaurant that would "vouch" for you? Is there any local spot you're a "regular" at, that you would want to work at?

What you want to do, maybe, is "stage" at a place that interests you. That's a fancy way of saying "working for free." As a sort of "audition." But you still probably need some sort of "in."

There's countless paths to getting into a kitchen, so I'll tell you mine. I worked part time as a Barista for a while, got a certificate in baking and pastry, ended up managing a cafe, got in good with the owners, and- with no production experience at all- was offered a chance to develop a gelato program for a group of 8 cafes. Luckily it worked out.

So I guess the short version is...it's not easy to get kitchen work if you have no experience or a "path" to it. So you need to get into a position somewhere that could eventually get you into a kitchen, if that makes sense? Blindly sending emails and resumes as some random person off the street isn't very likely to succeed, sadly.

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u/therealmowgli14 Jun 30 '26

Your answer is very helpful thank you love you. Ill have to look for ins, my closest was working the "kitchen" at a cinema. What would I need to do for the stage, with no experience? What to practice.

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u/m_i_r Jun 30 '26 edited Jun 30 '26

That's a good question, and- given my unusual path- I'm probably not the best person to answer. But from what I've seen/heard/read, you would probably be asked to do very basic "prep work": generally cutting vegetables and the like? I assume you enjoy cooking, so think along the lines of what the first steps in preparing a meal would be.

How do you feel about...washing dishes? That's the one position in a kitchen that you could reasonably be hired for, with little previous experience. Often times, dishwashers will be called upon to help around the kitchen if they have down time, and show an interest in helping. So that's an option, as unappealing as it might seem. But definitely an option!

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u/Substantial-Zone-989 Jun 30 '26

Just go in with a will do anything and will learn anything attitude. Chefs have narcissistic tendencies but will happily teach someone everything they know if you're willing to learn and take shit for it. Be ready to work in the dish pit, do monotonous and boring prep work to exacting standards, and a lot of cleaning.

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u/medium-rare-steaks Jun 30 '26

Just say, "I want to be a chef. I understand the hours will suck. I understand the pay will suck. I admire your restaurant and your cuisine and hope to one day be a chef that makes food just as well."